Parachute apparatus.



J. MANKOWSKI.

PARAGHUTE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1914.

1,115,705. A Patented N0v.3, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

wi/lmaoaeo A JWM J. MANKOWSKI.

PARAGHUTE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1914.

1,1 15,705. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

Fig. 3.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W t i'H lllllllllllllllllllllllll J/WM after/1424 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAN MANKOWSKL OF GARRETT, INDIANA.

PARACI-IUTE APPARATUS.

Be it known that l. .l.\.\ Maxnowsni, a subject oi the Czar of Russia, residing at Garrett. in the county of Dekalb and State ol lndiana. have invented certain new and useful ln'iproveinents in Parachute Appa ratus. of which the following is a specification.

This in veiition relates to new and useful in'iprovements in parachute appa ll lls and especially to that class of such devices adapted to be attached to the bodyof the aeronaut.

The primary object of the invention is a provision of a t'oldable umbrella shaped pa achute member which is readily secured to the person. and easily folded and unfolded by the wearer.

A further object of the device is to provide a number of rib formations hinged adjacent the chest of the person each of said r bs being downwardly and inwardly foldable upon themselves. and whereby a de- 1',-e11(li11g closed gnirachute is positioned beneath t-h arms of the aeronaut.

A. still further object is to provide a parachute hinged surrounding the person and directly beneath the arms. and having an attachment to the armswhereby the oblique as well as the folding position of the device may be readily governed.

W'ith these objects in view and others that will appear asthe natureof the invention. is better understood. the same consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described. illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like-designating characters re't'er to corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the framework of the device with some of the ribs removed and others broken away. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with all of the ribs removed. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the complete device. Fig. 1'- is a perspective view of one of the ribs detached. and broken away. Fig. 5 is a detail enlarged View of the hinged end of one of the ribs, and, Fig. 6 is a detail top plan view of the hinged portions of the collar.

Referring more indetail to the drawings the device broadly consists in the umbrella Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 4,

Patented Nov. 3, 191 d. 1914. Serial No. 855.022.

canopy 10 preferably formed of fabric or waterproof material, and having a serviceable means for removably detaching the same to the body of a person and in a foldable position.

For attaching the canopy to the, body, a yoke member 11 is provided, having a collar 12 for encircling the neck and with oppositely extending shoulder-receivingextensions 13, which latter are arched or Chan-- nel-shaped in cross-section and adapted to rest (in the shoulders. The collar 12 is open at the front, and is divided into two equal parts which are connected together by a hinge l lpositioned centrally at the back of the collar. A chest band 15 is connected to the extensions 13, and is secured to .the collar by means of connecting strips 16, being adapted. to encircle the body around the chest thereof, the entire yoke so formed being secured in position by means of straps I? connected between the opposite strips 16.

A waist belt 18 is connected to the band 15 by means of adjustable connecting straps A plurality of eyes 20 are mounted upon the outer face'of the belt 18 and are equally spaced apart, while a corresponding number of pairs of spaced-apart lugs 21 are mounted upon the outer face of the chest band 15, and correspond in number to the eyes 20, each of said pairs being equally spaced apart. I

A. plurality of ribs 21 have their inner ends 22 hinged to the lugs 21, and are provided with spaced eyes 23 on their undersurfaces. Each ofthe ribs 21 is provided with a hinge 24 substantially midway of its length. and whereby the lower portion of each rib is inwardly and downwardly foldable against the undersurtace of the upper rib portions. Adjustable cords 25 have their ends secured to the rib eyes 23 and slidably pass through the belt-eyes 20. The canopy 10 is secured to the upper surfaces of the ribs 2] which ribs ext-end substantially radially. beneath the canopy. The canopy is severed radially at the front thereof as at 26, and is in a direct line with the severing of the collar and with the separating line between the opposite strips 16. The opposite sides of the canopy are connected together by. means of securing straps 27.

The upper side of the canopy is provided with arm straps or loops 28. and out- Wardly thereof With hand hold loop 29. the

the upper portion of the body by means of the strap 17 and the belt 18 is secured in place, and the canopy thus removably attaohed to the body of the aeronaut, and whereby he may safely descend from high altitudes, such as from a balloon, aeroplane, bridge, or any other elevatedposition. The arms of the wearer are extended through the inner loops 1? and the hands grasped the outer loops 29 so that by changing the position of the arms, the position of the ribs and the canopy are readily positioned at the desirable inclination. By moving the lower portions of the ribs inwardly upon the hinges 24-, the lower outer or marginal portion of the canopy is inwardly positioned between the body of the wearer and the inner faces of the upper or inner portions of the ribs. In this position, the arms and hands may be disconnected from the canopy loops, and the device worn around the upper portion of the body With-. out inconveniencing the wearer in manipulating his aircraft. lVhen desired for use, the arms and hands may be readily engaged the loops, and whereupon the lower portion of the canopy is readily unhinged and the entire canopy spread out for immediate use. \Vhile the forms of the invention herein fully described are whatare believed to be preferable embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made in the form and proportion of the various parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

What I claim as new is a 1. A device of the class described comprising a yoke adapted to be supported by the person, and having a hinged collar, a chest band, and connecting laterally extending shoulder engaging members, a plurality of ribs equally spaced apart and ii'nged to said band, a canopy secured to the upper surfaces of said ribs, and encircling said band, at waist belt, connecting straps between said belt and band, two eyes carried by the under surfaces of each of the ribs, a plurality of eyes carried by saidbelt,

and cords running through the said belt eyes and having their opposite ends secured tothe eyes of the adjacent rib.

21A device of the class described comprising a yoke adapted to be removably attached-to the upper portion of the body of a person, a belt strap, two-part hinged ribs having their inner ends equallyspaced apart and hinged to the said yoke, eyes carried byeach portion of said ribs, eyes carried by said"belt,-cords slidably positioned through said belt eyes and having their ends secured to the eyes of the adjacent rib, a canopy covering the said ribs, arm loops oppositely positioned upon the top of said canopy, and inwardly of the hinged connection between the rib portions, and hand holds carried by said canopy outwardly of said loops.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAN MANKOlVSKI. Vitnesscs J. ZILDAZEJOKI,

T. V. TOUCH. 

